2020-21 Premiership Rugby – Bath vs Exeter Chiefs Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Bath vs Exeter Chiefs taking place? Saturday 6th March, 2021 – 15:00 (UK)
Where is Bath vs Exeter Chiefs taking place? The Recreation Ground, Bath
Where can I get tickets for Bath vs Exeter Chiefs? Check official club websites for information about purchasing tickets
What television channel is Bath vs Exeter Chiefs on? BT Sport have the rights to televise Gallagher Premiership matches so it is worth checking their schedule
Where can I stream Bath vs Exeter Chiefs? If televised on BT Sport, then subscribers will be able to stream the match live via the BT Sport website & app
THE TEAM NEWS
Bath: 15 Tom de Glanville, 14 Ruaridh McConnochie, 13 Jonathan Joseph, 12 Josh Matavesi, 11 Will Muir, 10 Rhys Priestland, 9 Ben Spencer, 8 Zach Mercer, 7 Sam Underhill, 6 Taulupe Faletau, 5 Elliott Stooke, 4 Josh McNally (c), 3 Henry Thomas, 2 Tom Dunn, 1 Beno Obano
Replacements: 16 Jack Walker, 17 Jamie Bhatti, 18 Christian Judge, 19 Tom Ellis, 20 Miles Reid, 21 Will Chudley, 22 Tian Schoeman, 23 Joe Cokanasiga
Exeter Chiefs: 15 Stuart Hogg, 14 Facundo Cordero, 13 Ian Whitten, 12 Ollie Devoto, 11 Tom O’Flaherty, 10 Joe Simmonds (c), 9 Jack Maunder, 8 Sam Simmonds, 7 Jacques Vermeulen, 6 Dave Ewers, 5 Sam Skinner, 4 Jonny Gray, 3 Harry Williams, 2 Jack Innard, 1 Alec Hepburn
Replacements: 16 Elvis Taione, 17 Ben Moon, 18 Tomas Francis, 19 Sean Lonsdale, 20 Jannes Kirsten, 21 Stu Townsend, 22 Harvey Skinner, 23 Tom Hendrickson
THE PREDICTION
Bath were 19-10 down by half-time at Northampton Saints on Sunday but fought back emphatically to steal the points 22-23 at the final whistle. That win was their third in a row in the English Premiership to suggest their poor form is behind them for now and they will be well up for this historic fixture at home to reigning champions Exeter Chiefs. In a weekend of shock results, Exeter suffered a blow to the defence of their title as they fell to a 20-25 defeat at Sale and they could be ripe for the taking by their next hosts. The last time Rob Baxter’s side lost two in a row in the Premiership it was first to Wasps and then to a South-West rival in Bristol so you could be forgiven for looking for a recurring pattern here as they try to avoid three straight defeats. However, the Chiefs’ loss last weekend will have had plenty to do with a first-half red card and they have not lost three games in a row since 2016. With this one likely to go closer than many expect, Exeter to just edge a result that comes under 40 points seems a useful combination but there is an “upset” aura about this match.
